- 100% agree, storage and layout are everything.
- Seen too many folks blow the budget on a fridge that barely fits or some “statement” oven that’s more for show.
- If my reno budget doubled, I’d honestly put most of it into custom cabinetry and pull-out shelves. Maybe a hidden charging drawer too—those are underrated.
- Curious—would you ever give up upper cabinets for open shelving, or is that just a Pinterest fad? I’ve seen it look good but not sure about the dust factor...
Open shelving looks great in photos, but honestly, most folks regret it after a year. I’ve had clients call me back asking to swap them out—dust and grease just pile up unless you’re super tidy. Upper cabinets win for real-life kitchens, hands down.
If my reno budget doubled, I’d be tempted to splurge on some custom cabinetry, but honestly, I still love the look of a few open shelves mixed in. I know they’re a pain to keep clean, but there’s something about displaying my favorite mugs and cookbooks that just feels homey. Maybe it’s just nostalgia from my grandma’s kitchen—she never seemed to mind the dust. Has anyone found a happy medium, like glass-front uppers or partial open shelving?
Glass-front uppers are actually a pretty solid compromise. We did them on just two cabinets when we redid our kitchen last year, and I’m glad we didn’t go all-in on open shelves. I love the look, but honestly, I know myself—I’d never keep up with the dusting. The glass keeps things looking light and open, but you don’t have to worry about wiping everything down every week.
We also did one small floating shelf for mugs and a couple of plants, and that’s been manageable. It scratches the “display” itch without turning into a full-time cleaning job. If your budget doubled, maybe splurge on some custom glass fronts or even those cabinets with the mesh inserts? They’re kind of in-between—still see-through but not as much pressure to keep everything picture-perfect.
My grandma had open shelves too, and yeah, there was always a little dust... but somehow it just felt cozy, not messy. Maybe it’s all about what feels right for your space and how much time you want to spend tidying up.
Funny, I had the same debate during our last reno.
Couldn’t agree more. I tried open shelves in my 1920s place—looked great for about a week, then the dust and cat hair took over. Glass fronts are the sweet spot. If you ever do splurge, those mesh inserts are underrated—hide the clutter but still feel vintage. You’re on the right track.“The glass keeps things looking light and open, but you don’t have to worry about wiping everything down every week.”